| AudioREVIEW's Forum Archives - Cables & Interconnects |
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|   Optical cable, Monster, Speaker wire gauge questions... | The_Status
Aug 31, 2003 1:23 PM | | Alright I'm getting ready to start setting up my home theater system I've just purchased. I have several questions.
Equipment:
Denon 2803
SV Subwoofer Model 20-39PCi
2 JBL S310's
1 JBL S Center
2 JBL N24's for the back surrounds
2 Sony bookshelf speakers that came with a shelf system I purchased about 5 years ago
RCA 5 disc DVD player
PS2, GameCube, Xbox, N64
Generic 27" TV
1. Speaker wire gauge
Mistakingly I already have two different sets of Monster XP wire with different gauge (14 and 17). I'm setting up a 7.1 system and will probably need to purchase at least 50 more feet of wire. I'd like to stick with Monster to keep it all the same brand, but what gauge should I purchase? The mains and centers will only require less than 6 feet of wire a piece. The 4 surronds will probably require at least 20 feet a piece.
2. Subwoofer cable
Distance from receiver to subwoofer is about 2 feet. I know that a standard RCA cable is all that I need. The question is this, should I spring for a $30-$40 Monster bass 200/300 cable, or should I get a cheaper cable like Acoustic Research?
3. Optical cables
I'm planning on using optical cables to connect the DVD, Xbox, and PS2 eventually. Pretty much same question as the subwoofer cable. Should I get the Monster Lightspeed 200's (~$40 on ebay, 1M) which have the spring clips to "perfectly align" the source with the fibers? Could I just get the Lightspeed 100's that don't have the springs?
Or should I forget Monster altogether because it's too expensive and doesn't make that much of a difference for the money I'll spend. In that case, what brand should I look for?
I think that's all for now, if I think of anything else I'll be sure to let you guys know, haha. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Alex |
| re: Optical cable, Monster, Speaker wire gauge questions... | Mr Peabody
Aug 31, 2003 11:15 PM | | I would use the 14 over the 17, especially going to the rear. You should also be sure your speaker wire is oxygen free copper. Oxygen free is like driving straight down a highway, where traditional copper wire is like driving down the highway dodging sawhorses.
I have found there is a benefit to using better cables but if you're going to spend that kind of money buy something other than Monster. I prefer Transparent but brands like Audioquest, Nordist etc. offer a more legitimate performance product than Monster. I've heard on subs the RCA cable isn't that critical, but would recommend a good quality digital cable. Also a good video cable. I noticed a dramatic difference in detail and black level when I switched from a Monster video to a Transparent video cable.
The best recommendation I can give you is buy from a store that will either let you try a brand of cable or allows returns and try them for yourself to see if you notice the difference. Shops handling higher end cables should have demo cables for home audition. |
| Let's set the record straight about oxygen free copper! | Swerd
Sep 2, 2003 1:21 PM | | I get bugged when I read statements like this:
>You should also be sure your speaker wire is oxygen free copper. Oxygen free is like driving straight down a highway, where traditional copper wire is like driving down the highway dodging sawhorses.
There are no magic qualities for oxygen free copper (OFC). It is not some kind of superior conducting material. Many people have been led to believe that OFC is less prone to oxidation than other forms of copper. This is not true.
Please spend some time and read a good (but rather long) article by Steve DellaSalla at Audioholics titled Component Video Cables The Definitive Guide http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/interconnects/ComponentVideoCables.php
Section 3.1 Conductor and Ground, discusses what OFC is and why it is used. I'll summarize what is said:
Unalloyed copper is an important metal for cables because of its high electrical conductivity. It is inexpensive and is used for the producing wire, rods and strips. It has a nominal oxygen content of about 0.04%. Oxygen is almost insoluble in copper and forms interdendritic (at the crystal grain boundary) copper oxide (Cu2O) when the copper is cast. For most applications the oxygen in copper is an insignificant impurity. However, when copper is heated to a temperature above 400°C, such as when using a high temperature solder, in an atmosphere containing hydrogen (found in air), the hydrogen can diffuse into the copper and react with the internally dispersed Cu2O to form steam according to the chemical reaction:
c Cu2O + H2 (dissolved in Cu) --> 2Cu + H2O (steam)
The water formed by the reaction does not diffuse readily and therefore forms microscopic bubbles, particularly at the grain boundaries, which makes the copper wire brittle. Brittle wire at solder joints (the area that was heated) will decrease the life of the cable since this area is usually under high stress from supporting the weight of the cable at the connector point. To avoid hydrogen embrittlement caused by Cu2O, you can minimize the oxygen in the copper by casting the copper under a controlled non-oxygen reducing atmosphere. The copper produced by this method is called oxygen free copper (alloy C10200). OFC can be heated and soldered in an open environment without becoming brittle at the solder joint.
This is the only benefit of OFC. OFC and standard copper, both oxidize at the same rates. Some cable manufacturers advertise that OFC will not oxidize, or that it will oxidize less than other copper conductor materials, but there is no truth to these claims. |
| Man I love this guy..... | FLZapped
Sep 3, 2003 1:09 PM | | Just wish you were around a few months back when Jon Risch was babbling on about crystal boundary effects and whatnot......
-Bruce |
| I was around then. . . | Swerd
Sep 3, 2003 1:50 PM | | So many others were taking shots at him that I kept quiet. Besides, I was afraid that he spits (or worse) when he gets agitated, and I didn't want to get my monitor & keyboard wet. <img src="http://e4u.consoleradar.com/crazy/660.gif">
There may be a minor benefit from using highly purified >99.99% copper. However its slightly lower resistance is probably due to the removal of contaminating iron, calcium, and magnesium and not to the absence of copper oxide. |
| I was around then. . . | mtrycrafts
Sep 3, 2003 9:43 PM | | b However its slightly lower resistance
Yes, and it be interesting to see the differences in resistance  |
| I was around then. . . | FLZapped
Sep 4, 2003 10:14 AM | | b and I didn't want to get my monitor & keyboard we
HAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHA! Okay! -Bruce |
| Man I love this guy..... | mtrycrafts
Sep 3, 2003 9:40 PM | | b Jon Risch was babbling
Right about that  |
| re: Optical cable, Monster, Speaker wire gauge questions... | mtrycrafts
Sep 1, 2003 6:03 PM | | Use the 17ga for the short runs; they are fine. Use the 14 ga for the longer runs. If you need more, no need to stick to the same make. Just go to any WalMart, Target, Home Depot or on line like partsexpress.com or buy4less and buy 14ga. Reference to oxigen free is a misnomer as that is related to the proccess of making the wire. Copper wire is made the same way, oxygen free.
Sub cable. Call SVS. I bet they will tell you to buy some interconnects, no name brand will do just fine. Monster is just way over priced as most cables are.
Same goes for optical cables.
Spend you money where it will do more, software. |
| Can't beat 'em interconnects | BluesDaddy
Sep 4, 2003 4:21 AM | | Here ya go, Parts Express "deal of the day" (good only for 9/4 till 6:00 PM) - Solutions 6' RCA "patch cables" (don't you love that terminology - screw that new fangled "interconnect" BS) $2.49 apiece: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=249-078&orefer=dotd090303
Get 'em while you can! |
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